Books to read to a (nearly) 4 yr old

[Kmg]

We have just started reading 'real' books to our 4 year-old. i.e. longer books with text, no pictures, where he gets a chapter or two each evening, and has to wait for the next instalment to hear the conclusion.

We are really struggling to find appropriate material. Any suggestions?

We started with Roald Dahl: Fantastic Mr Fox, which was great (though caused a brief fixation with guns ..). But good length, good level of language, and not too scary. My son is quite sensitive, and is already rather worried at any mention of death. He finds Disney films terrifying, so many children's classics or fairytales, or the other Roald Dahl books are completely out. We have read him the Enid Blyton Faraway Tree stories, which were also excellent, though required a fair degree of parental editorial control to amend some of the sexist language/attitudes. I would prefer something more contemporary. Many books written for 7-9s to read to themselves are completely inappropriate for him at this stage.

I have ordered the Dick King-Smith 'Sophie' books from the library, on a recommendation from a friend. But many of the other King-Smith books are 'animal tales', which generally he doesn't get on with.

I would love to hear what has worked for you..?

I agree, "forcing" a child to do anything will only make them resentful and they will resist/avoid it, IMHO. A child's love of books starts as soon as you read them their first picture book...they don't need to be able to read themselves to appreciate it. Don't rush your dd, star, she will learn when the time is right and that may well be at school. I think many teachers would prefer to have students who they can start to teach "from scratch" so to speak, so that they don't have to "unlearn" any bad habits they may have picked up. My dd is 5.5yrs and while she has only some whole-word recognition, she does know her single letter sounds and recognises the alphabet as well as being able to form most of the letters on paper...which is a great starting point and all that is really expected at her school level (pre-primary).

So far as reading non-picture books aloud, it can be a great bedtime ritual...a lot of the classics are great, and some Disney stories too (although I do steer away from the sterotyped fairy tales where the prince comes to rescue the girl and they get married and live happily ever after...sorry, but no thanks!) One of my favourite primary school memories is in Year 4 (aged about 8-9) our teacher read aloud "The Lion the witch and the Wardrobe"...fantastic! (Not sure if it would be suitable for a 4 or 5 yr old though.) Having said that, I love children's picture books, some of the illustrations are awesome. Anthony Browne, Mick Inkpen, David Kirk, Debi Gliori and Charlotte Zolotow are some of our favourites! Whatever you do ENJOY reading to your children and hope they never get "too old" for it! (Before you know it they will be wanting to read to you - for "homework"!!!)

Star, if you want to spark off some interest in reading - could you look at the labels of her favourite foods, or names of toys ie show her Barbie begins with a 'B', Hello Kitty ( know you're a fan!) begins with an 'H'. Just fun things she has around her. My son loves his food, so was very interested early on in cafe menus - especially the sort with food illustrations beside them.

My son couldn't read when he started school either. Now reading is what he's best at, yet he still likes being read to.

Might be worth having a word with the nursery or reception teachers for her new school for recommendations of books to read together. I also endorse using the local library. There is a reading series Oxford Reading Tree we get from the library. These are very good.

Otherwise go for books with good illustrations where she can use these to help with matching the pictures with the words. Repetitive texts that will encourage her to join in with you and build confidence in linking printed words with the story. "We're going on a Bear Hunt" is a good example.

Many children at this age cannot read. Teachers in reception focus on letters and letter sounds - phonics - and won't move on to reading until the children have a thorough knowledege of this sort of thing. The foundations are very important.

Continue with bed time stories etc and most of all enjoy the time you spend reading together.
Also try and get books that relate to her interests - if she is into Barbie, get barbie books (or whatever)

Finally don't panic. Its too early to worry but even if she gets to age 5-6 (Year 1) and is struggling in comparison with her peers the school may provide further support (Early Literacy Support - where children get extra help on reading with learning assistants etc).

Star, I asked my mum who was a brilliant reception class teacher for many years, and she says the most important thing is for kids to enjoy books; if they see them as a source of pleasure, reading will flow from that when they're ready. She confirms Mollipop's view that many teachers aren't specially thrilled with kids who come in with some, not necessarily very sturdy or appropriate, 'reading' as it can mean unlearning. What reception teachers want is kids with basic social and personal skills, and you'd be surprised hoow many don't have them... Just have fun with books and be chilled about it is her advice, and she certainly managed to instil a passion for reading in me and my brother (I'm an English lecturer and he's a librarian!)

mollipops - sorry, just to change tack a bit but, those Ladybird books are a bit of an eye-opener, aren't they?. Have started buying them for my daughter but really they're for me to relive my childhood and I'm a bit of an anal completist. But, they do inspire good chats - Rumpelstilstskin - my daughter wondered why anyone would want to marry a man who threatened to kill a coerced (not her word) young girl if she could not spin straw into gold. Rapunzel - why would you marry someone you've just met? etc I am a bit addicted to them to them though